A Closer Examination of the HIV/Fertility Linkage ... - Measure DHS
A Closer Examination of the HIV/Fertility Linkage ... - Measure DHS
A Closer Examination of the HIV/Fertility Linkage ... - Measure DHS
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DISCUSSION<strong>Examination</strong> <strong>of</strong> trends in <strong>the</strong>se three countries shows suggestive patterns <strong>of</strong> fertility stalling in<strong>the</strong> countries with <strong>HIV</strong> epidemics that have reached <strong>HIV</strong> prevalence rates over 10%. Trends inZimbabwe and Uganda suggest that fertility behaviors are changing during <strong>the</strong> epidemic.Burkina Faso does not experience <strong>the</strong> same effects as <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r two countries; this could indicatethat this country’s <strong>HIV</strong> epidemic is not severe enough to causes changes in fertility.The patterns we discuss certainly do not fully explain <strong>the</strong> links between <strong>HIV</strong> and fertility.However, <strong>the</strong> trends in Zimbabwe and Uganda (and <strong>the</strong>ir lack in Burkina Faso) suggest that <strong>the</strong><strong>HIV</strong> epidemic may play a part in fertility patterns. The reduction or lack <strong>of</strong> increase incontraceptive use, particularly among <strong>the</strong> urban populations, suggests that women may be tryingto have more children. This <strong>the</strong>ory is supported by <strong>the</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> decline in <strong>the</strong> ideal number <strong>of</strong>children, and <strong>the</strong> slowing declines in fertility rates. While Uganda appears to have astraightforward decline in contraceptive use that could explain <strong>the</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> fertility decline,Zimbabwe’s patterns are more complex. Zimbabwe may be experiencing a process in whichwomen attempt to avoid <strong>HIV</strong> while having many children; <strong>the</strong>y may do so by confining sex tomarriage. Their contraceptive use may be to space births, ra<strong>the</strong>r than to limit childbearing.36